China vows to defend interests after US threatens Iran's trading partners

US investigates deadly strike on Iranian wedding as experts link blast to American munition

An explosion tore through a wedding in southern Iran on Tuesday; weapons experts who analyzed images and video concluded the damage pointed to a direct hit by a US munition. The US is investigating the incident. Iranian state television said a 22-year-old woman died in hospital, bringing the total death toll to five, with nearly 70 wounded.

South Korea is reviewing the possible deployment of military personnel to the Strait of Hormuz as one of several options to help ensure safe passage through the waterway, the presidential office said Friday. A senior official said any deployment would be assessed based on defense readiness on the Korean Peninsula and domestic legal requirements, and stressed that no decision has been made.

Argentine President Javier Milei said winds of change favour his country's claim to the Falkland Islands, pointing to signals that the United States may reconsider its long-standing neutrality on the dispute. Milei announced stricter sanctions on companies involved in oil projects near the islands, citing a UN resolution against unilateral action in disputed territories.

Vice President JD Vance announced that the U.S. has ended diplomatic contact with Iran following clashes in the Strait of Hormuz, and talks will not resume until Iran ceases attacks on vessels. He indicated China is prepared to back economic sanctions against Tehran.

An explosion struck a wedding in southern Iran on Tuesday, likely from a direct US munition hit, weapons experts concluded from verified images and video. US Vice President JD Vance said the United States was investigating. Iranian state television reported a 22-year-old woman died in hospital, bringing the death toll to five.

JD Vance said he would not characterise the Iran conflict as a war. The statement came two days after the largest escalation in the conflict in more than a month.

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis, grandson of former Cuban president Raúl Castro, along with Banco Exterior de Cuba and five state entities in Cuba's nickel, energy and petroleum sectors. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the designations block assets under U.S. jurisdiction and restrict the sanctioned parties' access to the American financial system.

US vice president JD Vance says Iran conflict is not a war

JD Vance said he would not characterise the Iran conflict as a war. The statement came two days after the largest escalation in the conflict in more than a month.

Washington severs ties with Tehran over Strait of Hormuz incidents as Beijing signals willingness to join embargo

Vice President JD Vance announced that the U.S. has ended diplomatic contact with Iran following clashes in the Strait of Hormuz, and talks will not resume until Iran ceases attacks on vessels. He indicated China is prepared to back economic sanctions against Tehran.

Iran reports that an air strike hit a wedding celebration, leaving at least five dead and nearly 70 wounded. Vice President JD Vance said the United States is looking into the incident.

Vice President JD Vance announced Thursday that the United States is examining an airstrike Iran claims struck a wedding gathering. According to Iranian officials, the strike on a home killed four people and injured close to 70.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said it had decided to release five Lebanese civilians following interrogations that found no connections to terrorism. The United States said it was facilitating daily dialogue between Lebanon and Israel.

President Trump responded to reports of depleting ammunition supplies by calling media outlets reporting the claims "treasonous scum" and insisting the US has "virtually unlimited amounts" of mid to high grade munitions. Trump said the US is producing munitions at unprecedented levels and accused the Biden administration of giving more ammunition to Ukraine than the US has used in its war with Iran.

U.S. sanctions Castro grandson and Cuban state enterprises

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis, grandson of former Cuban president Raúl Castro, along with Banco Exterior de Cuba and five state entities in Cuba's nickel, energy and petroleum sectors. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the designations block assets under U.S. jurisdiction and restrict the sanctioned parties' access to the American financial system.

Trump defends US munitions stockpile, attacks media over Iran war coverage

President Trump responded to reports of depleting ammunition supplies by calling media outlets reporting the claims "treasonous scum" and insisting the US has "virtually unlimited amounts" of mid to high grade munitions. Trump said the US is producing munitions at unprecedented levels and accused the Biden administration of giving more ammunition to Ukraine than the US has used in its war with Iran.

Israel is expected to release five Lebanese detainees under a deal reached this week, with the Lebanese government agreeing to search for remains of Jewish community leaders killed by Hezbollah in the mid-1980s. The prisoner exchange comes as Israel and Lebanon pursue struggling talks aimed at disarming Hezbollah and ending Israel's military operations in the country.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he would seek reimbursement from European nations for weapons and military equipment sent to Ukraine. He also signaled a possible end to arms sales to allied countries.

On television, Lutnick stated that Americans had not died fighting in Iran, a claim at odds with Pentagon records showing 18 service members killed. He later apologized, explaining he had been focused on Venezuela during the remarks.

Iran's Tasnim news agency reported Thursday that six more military personnel were killed in US strikes, bringing the death toll to at least 13 for the week. Tuesday's strikes marked the most extensive bombardment in weeks, killing regular military members including three pilots in southern Iran, three Basij members on Lavan Island, and four IRGC Aerospace Force members in the west.

Iran's military said it attacked U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates as retaliation for recent American bombardments that killed at least 18 people and wounded around 150. Israeli Defence Minister Ben-Tzur said an Iranian attack on Israel would free Israel from all constraints and that Israel would strike Iran's national infrastructure, including energy facilities.

Iran warned the US it will respond forcefully if Israel continues attacking a fortified ridge in southeastern Lebanon where Hezbollah operates. Two officials said more than a dozen Iranian Revolutionary Guards members, including two senior officers, are positioned there alongside Hezbollah fighters. Iran had alerted Washington in mid-August to a possible Israeli offensive on the site.

In remarks to Israeli media on Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country is engaged in efforts to overthrow Iran's government. He indicated that the mission remains incomplete and aims at regime change.

Iran struck US military installations in Kuwait, escalating a conflict six months old. President Donald Trump responded by threatening additional attacks and saying the US military had destroyed a mine-laying rocket.

18 dead as U.S. strikes resume across Iran, including casualties at wedding

According to Iran's health minister, Tuesday night's U.S. military strikes killed 18 people and wounded 108 across the country. The assault claimed four lives and left 67 injured at a wedding near the Strait of Hormuz, as combat operations resumed with Iranian missile and drone counterattacks targeting U.S. positions in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Iraq.

Tensions between Iran and the United States spiked Wednesday as their military confrontation reached its most intense level in recent weeks. Tehran condemned what it called a war crime—a US strike on a wedding celebration that left four dead—while President Trump warned of additional American military action.

Following extensive military operations that resulted in at least 19 Iranian deaths, President Trump indicated the US could launch further attacks whenever it chose. He stated the strikes had destroyed considerably more than Iranian radar systems.

According to Iran's health minister, Tuesday night's U.S. military strikes killed 18 people and wounded 108 across the country. The assault claimed four lives and left 67 injured at a wedding near the Strait of Hormuz, as combat operations resumed with Iranian missile and drone counterattacks targeting U.S. positions in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Iraq.

Crude futures declined on Thursday as investors assessed the risks of military confrontation between the U.S. and Iran that could disrupt Middle East oil supplies. The latest exchange marked the most substantial confrontation since July, with the conflict now in its seventh month.

Iran reported 18 dead in the latest U.S. strikes, with a wedding party among the casualties: four dead and dozens injured. Trump said the United States can hit Iran "anytime we want," while Tehran characterized the strikes as a war crime.

Iran, US escalate after wedding strike kills four

Tensions between Iran and the United States spiked Wednesday as their military confrontation reached its most intense level in recent weeks. Tehran condemned what it called a war crime—a US strike on a wedding celebration that left four dead—while President Trump warned of additional American military action.

Oil prices fall as U.S. and Iran military strikes fuel supply concerns

Crude futures declined on Thursday as investors assessed the risks of military confrontation between the U.S. and Iran that could disrupt Middle East oil supplies. The latest exchange marked the most substantial confrontation since July, with the conflict now in its seventh month.

President Trump said a renewed US campaign against Iran will not extend far into the future. Iran's health minister put the death toll from US attacks at 18, including two children.